Automatic beverage valve



Now 10, 1936. A. w. GLENK AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE VALVE r zaz IN VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 1 Claim.

The invention relates to a valve construction and more especially to an automatic beverage valve.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character, wherein the construction thereof will prevent beer, ale, beverages or other liquid from entering the air or gas line in a dispensing apparatus and also will avoid extraneous substances, bacteria, filth, sediment, etc., from getting into the liquid when dispensed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character, wherein the same is inserted in the air or gas line, preferably in the tapping bung of a keg, container or the like and is automatic in its working so that if liquids tend to back up in the air or gas line from the keg, container or the like the same will be automatically eliminated from the tapping system.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in its operation, automatically acting, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

The view is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the valve constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the valve comprises a body A having the reversely arranged substantially conical shaped sections I0 and II, respectively, these at their wider ends being laterally flanged for accommodating fasteners I2 which secure therebetween a flexible 4.5 diaphragm I3 for separating chambers I4 and I5 provided in the respective sections.

The section I0 is formed with a nipple-like connecting portion I6 for an air or gas line or lead (not shown) While fitted in the section II 50 is a coupling nipple I! for engagement in a bung of a keg, container or the like for beverages, beer, ale or other liquids in association with a dispensing apparatus. Within the nipple J! is a standard return check valve 50 which permits 55 air under pressure to be admitted to the keg,

container or the like and checks the return thereof through said nipple.

Formed internally of the section I!) within the chamber I4 therein is an annular seat I8 about which is concentrically arranged an air chan- 5 nel l9 communicative with branches 2!! leading from a flow inlet 2| in the nipple portion [6 of said section l0 and this seat I8 is engageable by the diaphragm I3 under certain conditions to shut ofi air supply to the chamber I4 10 in the section I0.

Interiorly of the section II is an annular seat 22 concentric with respect to a. nozzle 23 fitted centrally in the diaphragm I3 and this seat 22 is engageable by the diaphragm I3 in the auto- 15 matic action of the structure. The nozzle 23 carries a return check valve 5| to eliminate back flow of air or gas under pressure when delivered by the nozzle 23 in the way 24 in the section II communicative with the nipple I1. 20

Seated in the section I 6 and active against the diaphragm I3 is a coiled expansion spring 25 which urges the diaphragm against the seat 22 when the valve structure is normal.

The section II is provided with vents 26 to 25 permit the escape of liquid, such as beer, ale, beverage or the like from the chamber I5 in the section II.

In the use of the valve structure the same is connected to the air line so that air entering 30 the section I6 in the chamber I4 thereof forces the diaphragm I3 against the seat 22 preventing the air or gas from escaping through vents 26 from chamber I5 and allowing such air under pressure to flow through nozzle 23, way 24, nip- 5 ple I! into the keg, container or the like for the charging or pressing of the liquid therein. If the pressure in the keg, container or the like should be greater than the pressure in the air line, it might result in the liquid within the keg, 40 container or the like being driven therefrom into the air line should the nipple I1, which is preferably valve controlled fail to function properly and to eliminate this the liquid under pressure will be prevented from flowing through the nozzle 23 by the Valve therein and will cause the diaphragm I3 to seat against the seat I8 in the section I0 closing the air or gas line and this liquid within the chamber I5 will eliminate itself from the section I I through the vent 26 until the presisure in the air or gas line and within the keg,

container or the like becomes equalized.

What is claimed is:

A portable and removable device for preventing liquids in a container entering an air or gas line after such liquids have been charged with air or gas, comprising a hollow body divided into two chambers and a diaphragm dividing said chambers, one of the chambers having an air inlet at the center thereof and having angle ports for directing air from the inlet onto the diaphragm away from the center thereof and having a seat for the diaphragm at the terminal of said ports, a nozzle passing centrally through the diaphragm and spring means normally forcing the diaphragm away from said seat, a ported seat in the second section receiving the nozzle therein and onto which the diaphragm is influenced by said spring means, a check valve controlled nipple at the outer end of the said second section in communication with the port of the valve therein and said second section having a chamber between the diaphragm and the valve seat which is provided with ports that communicate with the atmosphere, and the nipple of said second section designed to be fitted in the liquid container.

ARTHUR W. GLENK. 

